DEFENCE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ORGANISATION
ORDNANCE BREAKDOWN FACILITY
PORT WAKEFIELD, SOUTH AUSTRALIA
STATEMENT OF EVIDENCE
TO THE
PARLIAMENTARY STANDING COMMITTEE
ON PUBLIC WORKS
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE
CANBERRA ACT
AUGUST 2004
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CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 2
BACKGROUND....................................................................................................................... 2
GOVERNING CONSIDERATIONS ..................................................................................... 2
REQUIREMENT ..................................................................................................................... 3
COMPARISON OF OPTIONS ........................................................................................................ 4
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS ............................................................................................... 4
SITE SELECTION ....................................................................................................................... 4
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT............................................................................................................ 4
PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................................... 5
DESIGN FEATURES ................................................................................................................... 5
ANCILLARY ISSUES ............................................................................................................. 8
COST OF WORKS ...................................................................................................................... 8
CONSTRUCTION WORKFORCE .................................................................................................. 8
TIMING..................................................................................................................................... 9
PROPERTY ASPECTS ................................................................................................................. 9
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS ........................................................................................ 9
CULTURAL HERITAGE .............................................................................................................. 9
HERITAGE ................................................................................................................................ 9
BIODIVERSITY ........................................................................................................................ 10
CONSULTATION...................................................................................................................... 10
DELIVERY MECHANISM .................................................................................................. 10
ANNEXES
Annex A
Location Map
Annex B
Site Layout
Annex C
Building Plans and Elevations
GLOSSARY
ADF
-
Australian Defence Force
DSTO
-
Defence Science and Technology Organisation
ECC
-
Environmental Certificate of Compliance
EMP
-
Environmental Management Plan
MFPE
-
Manual of Fire Protection Engineering
P&EE
-
Proof and Experimental Establishment
Ordnance
-
Military materiel, such as weapons and ammunition.
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INTRODUCTION
1.
The Department of Defence proposes to construct a new facility for the breakdown and
examination of ammunition and weapons at the existing Proof and Experimental Establishment (P&EE)
site at Port Wakefield, South Australia, approximately 100km north of Adelaide. The Ordnance
Breakdown Facility is required to enable the breakdown and analysis of large items of explosive ordnance,
which exceed the capabilities of existing facilities at the P&EE and Defence Science and Technology
Organisation (DSTO) Edinburgh in Adelaide.
BACKGROUND
2.
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) maintains a research capability for explosive ordnance and
weapons that supports deployed and training forces. The majority of the existing capability is split between
DSTO Edinburgh and P&EE Port Wakefield and is restricted by safety requirements for the investigation
of small sized ordnance.
3.
This submission proposes the construction of a new facility that will support research into a wider
cross section of weapons typically encountered by the ADF.
4.
The location at Port Wakefield was selected after assessment of alternative sites across Australia
and is within reasonable proximity to ordnance breakdown personnel based at DSTO Edinburgh.
Additionally, the new facility can share aspects including site security, large scale radiography facilities,
support workshops, emergency services, and ordnance disposal facilities already located at Port Wakefield
that are essential for the operation of the proposed facility and will be used during breakdown activities.
GOVERNING CONSIDERATIONS
5.
Security of Australia and its interests remains the central tenant of Defence policy. Research into
weapons and ordnance is an important element that supports the work of the ADF and its supporting
organisations in delivering adequate levels of security to Government.
6.
Research into weapons and ordnance is inherently dangerous and involves militarily sensitive
source material as well as nationally classified methods. Consequently, the tasks at the Ordnance
Breakdown Facility must satisfy Defence requirements for the handling and storage of explosives and for
protection of information regarding the ordnance stored at the facility and the methods used to disassemble
and analyse the ordnance. Hence, a number of broad considerations govern the facilities requirement of
this project. These include:
a. Protective security. The facility will be constructed to control access to all elements of the facility
at all times.
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b. Information security. The facility must maintain a very high standard of protection of all data and
communications sources.
c. Materiel and Personnel Safety. All facilities must be constructed in such a manner as to minimise
the risk to personnel and other facilities at all stages of the operation.
d. Public Safety. All facilities will be constructed to ensure that public safety remains the highest
priority. The PE&E site at Port Wakefield was selected to ensure adequate buffer zones surround
the facility.
REQUIREMENT
7.
The proposed new facility at the P&EE, Port Wakefield was selected after assessment of
alternative sites across Australia. The location at Port Wakefield is within reasonable proximity to
ordnance breakdown personnel based at DSTO Edinburgh.
8.
The primary function of the proposed Ordnance Breakdown Facility is to provide the ADF with
the capability to safely disassemble and research a range of weapons and ordnance.
9.
The following facilities have been identified as necessary for the facility.
a.
Control room. A control room is required to remotely monitor and operate equipment within
each of the active building sites at various times of operation. An existing, under-utilised
room within the current Environmental Test Facility workshop building at the P&EE will be
remodelled for this capability. Its location, adjacent to existing amenities and administration
facilities at the P&EE, will reduce costs and enhance operational simplicity.
b.
Cutting Building. A building is required in which radiography and remotely controlled cutting
of ordnance can be conducted. This building will provide separate rooms for operation of
remotely controlled cutting equipment, radiographic examination and equipment storage
along with an enclosed external loading bay.
c.
Disassembly Building. A building is required in which cut or prepared ordnance can be safely
disassembled. This building will provide separate rooms for breakdown of explosive
ordnance, radiographic examination and equipment storage along with an enclosed external
unloading/loading bay.
d.
Explosive Ordnance Storehouses. Two separate magazine buildings are to be provided for the
storage of explosive ordnance and broken down components.
e.
Storage Building. A light frangible storage building is required for the storage of general
equipment for use within the breakdown and cutting buildings.
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f.
Engineering services. The site is a greenfield site adjacent to the existing P&EE site and
suitable power, water, sewerage, communications, and sealed access road infrastructure is to
be provided.
g.
General Security. The facility is to be provided with security fencing around the perimeter
and a Type 1 security system.
Comparison of Options
10.
Defence considered a number of options to deliver the required level of capability. These included:
leaving the capability as the status quo, upgrading existing facilities at DSTO Edinburgh, or constructing a
new facility at Port Wakefield. The Defence Infrastructure Sub-Committee reviewed the options in April
2004 and agreed that the capability deficiency should be addressed and recommended the construction of a
new facility at the selected site at Port Wakefield. A potential upgrade of existing facilities at DSTO
Edinburgh was dismissed, as it was not possible to satisfy both public and departmental safety
requirements. Additionally the option of constructing a new Ordnance Breakdown Facility at the P&EE
provided opportunities to maximise cost effectiveness by making use of the existing support facilities and
services.
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
Site Selection
11.
The Department conducted a Siting Board to determine the ideal location of the facility. This
board contained relevant Defence stakeholders and selected a location for the Ordnance Breakdown
Facility north of the existing Environmental Test Facility at Port Wakefield, bounded by farmland and
existing roads. Additional land was acquired in order to guarantee appropriate explosive ordnance safeguarding distances between the existing Environmental Test Facility, public roads and the proposed
Ordnance Breakdown Facility buildings.
Design Development
12.
The Department conducted a facilities option study to consider options for the structural form and
site layout of the Ordnance Breakdown Facility. The study recommended that the key buildings that would
contain explosive ordnance should be constructed for blast mitigation rather than containment. Layout
would be designed to minimise the need for movement of heavy items and limit the requirement for paved
areas.
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Performance Requirements
13.
The Department reviewed the required performance and determined that the new facility should
meet the following general performance criteria:
a.
Facilities must have adequate amenities to support all personnel.
b.
Facilities must be capable of operating 24 hours per day if required.
c.
The siting of the facilities must be in accordance with the Siting Board recommendations.
d.
The facility must be sited such that the range danger template does not encroach on areas of
public access, such as the perimeter roads.
e.
Facilities should meet the requirements of all Australian Standards, codes of practice,
environmental standards, Defence standards and manuals and certifying agency requirements.
14.
f.
Facilities should meet Defence accommodation standards where feasible.
g.
Facilities should comply with Defence energy consumption goals and requirements.
h.
Facilities should comply with the P&EE Environmental Management Plan.
i.
New facilities should make use of existing P&EE facilities where appropriate.
Whilst Defence generally undertakes to design new facilities to achieve a minimum four star rating
on the Green Building Council of Australia Green Star rating scheme, this is unlikely to be possible on this
facility due to the specialised nature of the design. Security and safety requirements preclude many of the
construction practices normally associated with ecologically sustainable development such as opening
windows, natural daylight and natural ventilation. However, such practices have been included where
possible.
Design Features
15.
The Department has developed detailed design information for all elements of the facility. Design
features of note are described below:
16.
Remote Control Room. The proposed remote control room will be located in an existing facility
that will be upgraded to accommodate this function. The purpose of the room is to remotely monitor and
record activity and control devices in the disassembly and cutting buildings, via multi purpose fibre-optic
links. Special wall construction is not required however the security of the existing building is to be
upgraded to enable the room to be secure in accordance with the required Defence standards.
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17.
Disassembly Building. This building contains separate rooms for breakdown, radiographic
examination, equipment storage and plant, and a loading bay. The building will be clad with pre-finished
profiled metal sheeting to match with existing adjacent buildings, with specific internal details as follows:
a.
Loading Bay. The loading bay is under the main roof with sliding or roller doors at both ends
to screen unloading activities from distant public view and from sun, rain and wind,
particularly wind-blown dust. A lifting device to remove ordnance from the trucks to trolleys
is included.
b.
Breakdown Room. The breakdown room walls and roof are to be of “hardened” or reinforced
construction to mitigate the effects of accidental detonation. Walls, where facing externally,
are to be clad with pre-finished profiled metal sheeting to match the exterior of existing
adjacent buildings. The door to the breakdown room is also constructed to mitigate the effects
of accidental detonation. Devices within the room are remotely controlled from the Remote
Control Room via multi purpose fibre-optic links.
c.
Radiographic Room. The radiographic room is used to discuss and plan activities, and view
radiographs. The room is located within the breakdown room and the internal walls and
ceiling are not required to be of hardened or reinforced concrete construction as activities in
this room are not undertaken concurrently with work in the breakdown room. An internal
window is required to provide views of the breakdown room. External views and windows are
not required.
d.
Store Room. This room is used to store equipment associated with work undertaken in the
disassembly building. Equipment may be used in the store room. Equipment washing facilities
will be provided.
e.
Plant Room. An internal undercover, enclosed or partially enclosed plant room is preferred to
provide increased life for plant in the harsh Port Wakefield environment. Appropriate
protection from vandalism is also required.
18.
Cutting Building. This building contains separate rooms for machining, radiographic examination,
equipment storage, plant and a loading bay. This building is similar to the disassembly building. Cladding
to the building is pre-finished profiled metal sheeting to match with existing adjacent buildings with
internal details as follows:
a.
Loading Bay. The loading bay is under the main roof with sliding or roller doors to screen
unloading activities from distant public view and from weather effects, particularly windblown dust. A lifting device to remove ordnance from the trucks to trolleys is included.
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b.
Machining Room. The machining room walls and roof will be of “hardened” or reinforced
construction to mitigate the effects of accidental detonation. These walls, where facing
externally, will be clad with pre-finished profiled metal sheeting to match with existing
adjacent buildings. The door to the machining room is also constructed to mitigate the effects
of accidental detonation. Devices within the room are remotely controlled from the remote
control room via multi purpose fibre-optic links.
c.
Radiographic Room. The radiographic room is used to discuss and plan activities, and view
radiographs. The room is located within the machining room and the internal walls and ceiling
are not required to be of hardened or reinforced concrete construction as activities in this
room are not undertaken concurrently with work in the machining room. An internal window
is required to provide views of the machining room. External views and windows are not
required.
d.
Store Room. This room is used to store equipment associated with work undertaken in the
cutting building. Equipment may be used in the store room. Equipment washing facilities will
be provided.
e.
Plant Room. An internal undercover, enclosed or partially enclosed plant room is preferred to
provide increased life for plant in the harsh Port Wakefield environment. Appropriate
protection from vandalism is also required.
19.
Explosive Storehouses. The construction of each explosive storehouse will be to the relevant
Defence standard for explosive ordnance. The structural form is to be similar to the existing explosive
ordnance storehouses at the P&EE, Port Wakefield. The storehouses are to have an undercover loading bay
with a vertical wind/rain/view screen. The overhead cover is a lightweight canopy. Furthermore:
a.
Each storehouse requires a crane to remove ordnance from trucks to trolleys, and a separate
crane unloads ordnance inside the magazine from the trolleys to racks.
b.
The explosive storage capacity of each of the explosive storehouses shall be such that the
range danger template does not encroach on areas of public access, such as the perimeter
roads.
c.
20.
Environmental controls for temperature or humidity are not required.
Store Shed. The store shed is to be located near the explosive storehouses. Toilet facilities are not
required as use of the facility will be for short periods and toilets in the Control Room are in close
proximity. A flammable liquids storage cabinet is to be located within this building. Safety provisions will
be in accordance with the requirements of the Defence Manual of Fire Protection Engineering (MFPE).
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21.
Access Roads. There are no existing roads to the proposed facilities. An access road is to be
constructed connecting the buildings with the existing road network, with access through the existing
entrance to the P&EE Environmental Test Facility. It is anticipated that vehicles accessing the range will
include cars through to semi trailers.
22.
Parking. A bitumen sealed parking area for 2 cars will be provided at each building. Car parking to
the existing Control Building is adequate to cater for the staff using the remote control room.
23.
Footpaths. Footpaths are not generally required. Foot traffic between the Cutting and Disassembly
buildings will use the new access road.
24.
Fencing. The existing fence surrounding the Environmental Test Facility shall be extended to
encompass the new facility.
25.
Safety Barrier. A safety barrier in the form of a boom gate will be positioned on the access road to
both the disassembly and cutting facilities at an appropriate distance from the buildings.
26.
Net Explosive Quantities. The disassembly and cutting buildings will be required to accommodate
ordnance to specified limits.
27.
Occupational Health & Safety. The design features of the facility must be compatible with the
Occupational Health and Safety (Commonwealth Employment) Act 1991, the South Australian Health Act,
1995, and the associated safety and welfare Regulations.
ANCILLARY ISSUES
Cost of Works
28.
The budget for this facility is $8.4 million and was determined at the 90% level of design. This
includes construction costs, professional design and management fees and charges, furniture fittings and
equipment together with appropriate allowances for contingency and escalation, but excludes Goods and
Services Tax liability. Ongoing support costs for the facility will vary on expected usage but are in the
order of $0.268 million per annum.
Construction Workforce
29.
Over the construction period of 12 months, an average of 10 personnel with a maximum of
approximately 20, are expected to be employed on construction activities. In addition, it is anticipated that
the construction will generate further job opportunities off-site from the prefabrication of components, and
the manufacture and distribution of materials.
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Timing
30.
Subject to Parliamentary approval, construction of the facilities is planned to commence in late
2005. Project completion is planned to occur by late 2006.
Property Aspects
31.
Whilst all of the Ordnance Breakdown Facility buildings will be located on Commonwealth land
at Port Wakefield, the Defence Siting Board determined that it was necessary to acquire an adjacent
farmhouse, piggery and farmland to accommodate explosive ordnance safeguarding arcs.
32.
The required land was purchased by Defence from three separate parties in July and November
2002 at a cost to date of $642,300 with negotiations currently underway to resolve any outstanding claims
for these properties. Agreement was reached with the property owners to vacate the property prior to the
commencement of construction of the facility.
Environmental Considerations
33.
An Environmental Impact Assessment was completed for the project on 20 July 2001. An internal
Defence Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) was subsequently issued for the project in August
2001 in accordance with the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) for the P&EE site. An updated
certificate will be prepared for the facility prior to commencement of construction. All design, construction
and commissioning activities associated with the facility will comply with the ECC and EMP.
34.
The most significant environmental risk is soil contamination issues associated with the existing
farm buildings and infrastructure. An Environmental Construction Management Plan will be prepared for
the project. All design, construction and commissioning activities associated with the proposed Ordnance
Breakdown Facility will be required to comply with that plan and the ECC.
Cultural Heritage
35.
The P&EE is located on lands traditionally used by Aborigines of the Kaurna language group.
There are no Native Title/Indigenous Land Use Agreements in place and the Environmental Impact
Assessment determined that there are no issues known that impact on the proposed site.
Heritage
36.
Neither the Ordnance Breakdown Facility site nor the P&EE are heritage listed with the Australian
Heritage Commission, National Trust, State Heritage Branch or Local Council.
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Biodiversity
37.
Flora. There are several plants of significance listed within the wider P&EE area however the
Environmental Impact Assessment found none to be present at the nominated site due to past clearing and
stock grazing.
38.
Fauna. The construction of the new facility is likely to have a positive impact on a threatened bird
species, the Slender-billed (Samphire) thornbill. This species is listed as Vulnerable under both the SA
NPW Act and the Commonwealth EPBC Act. Currently, the farmland proposed to be acquired for the
project contains areas of Samphire and saltbush habitat that is in poor condition and the Samphire thornbill
does not appear to use this land. The habitat is present only in the safe guarding zone and not in the
proposed construction area for the project. Following land acquisition and removal of the existing land
degradation factors (weeds, piggery effluent and grazing) it is anticipated that the condition of the
vegetation will improve and therefore allow the Samphire thornbill to expand its range and use of this
habitat.
Consultation
39.
The following organisations have been or will be consulted during development of the project:
a. Federal and State representatives for the area;
b. Environment Australia;
c. Port Wakefield Council;
d. SA Fire Brigade;
e. Local Chamber of Commerce; and
f.
Australian Greenhouse Office.
DELIVERY MECHANISM
40.
The project will be delivered using a construction contractor under the Defence Head Contract
agreement. A design has already been completed for the project in order to ensure that the proposed
facility meets specialist Defence requirements.
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Annexes:
A.
Ordnance Breakdown Facility Location Map
B.
Ordnance Breakdown Facility Site Layout
C.
Preliminary Plans and Elevations of ordnance Breakdown Facility Buildings
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Annex A
Ordnance Breakdown Facility Location Map
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Annex B
Ordnance Breakdown Facility Site Layout
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Annex C
Preliminary Plans and Elevations of Ordnance Breakdown Facility Buildings
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